LEGENDARY batsmen from South Africa and India have questioned the wisdom of including an injured Michael Clarke in Australia’s Cricket World Cup squad, with one of them describing the decision as “un-Australian”.
Meanwhile the ICC has vowed to crack down on sledging at the World Cup but one country has taken this push against on-field chat a step further by telling its players to avoid any discussion of religion or politics.
It’s all in a jam-packed edition of Cup Countdown.
CRICKET LEGENDS CONFUSED BY CLARKE SELECTION
Former India captain Rahul Dravid and ex-South Africa skipper Graeme Smith believe the selection of Michael Clarke could come back to haunt Australia at the World Cup.
In an interview with Cricinfo, Dravid described the decision to include Clarke in the squad despite him battling to recover from hamstring surgery as “un-Australian” and suggested the Aussies could be better off without their inspirational skipper.
Michael Clarke’s selection was a contentious one. Picture: Mark Evans.Source: News Corp Australia
“Without him (Clarke) being in the squad and you just bring Steven Smith into it, they don’t look a weaker side at all,” Dravid said.
“In fact, some people might argue they actually look a better side.
“I just hope it is not an emotional decision.
“You just felt they had to take this decision. It’s almost a very un-Australian decision.”
Graeme Smith played it safe with his comments but it was interesting to note how he referred to Clarke as “an abrasive personality within the squad”, perhaps a reference to the player unrest that occurred under Clarke during the Mickey Arthur era.
Watson ruled out of ODI
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“It is a hard pressure environment and Michael has been an outstanding captain but is more of an abrasive personality within the squad,” Smith said.
“It’s going to be interesting to see now that they’ve been under Steven Smith for the last three-four months, if Michael moves back into that space how that shifts the personality of the team.
“If Clarke plays, does Smith play? It’s almost hard to find a position for both of them.”
DON’T TALK ABOUT RELIGION OR POLITICS
The Pakistan Cricket Board has taken the old expression “don’t talk about religion or politics” to the next level by commanding their players to do just that at World Cup.
According to reports from India, PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan had a meeting with the Pakistan players in which he laid down the law on ill-discipline and reminded them of their duties under a strict code of conduct.
ICC crack down on sledging
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The move comes just a few months after Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad was given an official reprimand for being caught on camera telling Sri Lanka’s Tillekaratne Dilshan that “if you are a non-Muslim and you turn Muslim, no matter whatever you do in your life, straight to heaven.”
Dilshan offered an inaudible reply, before Shehzad said, “Then be ready for the fire.”
Khan was the man who came down hard on Shehzad on that occasion and according to the reports from India, he’ll do the same if there are any slip-ups in Australia or New Zealand.
“Shaharyar made it clear that the players must not speak on religious, political or Indo-Pak relations during interactions with the media and also avoid these issues even in banter on the field,” a PCB official told NDTV.
Ahmed Shehzad might have raised his eyebrows after the PCB’s edict.Source: Getty Images
“The PCB chief said that before the match with India even during media conferences or interactions if anyone put questions relating to religion or Indo-Pak political ties the players must decline to answer.”
India and Pakistan are going to play one of the most watched cricket matches of all time when they face off at Adelaide Oval on February 15.
PROTEAS SOUND OMINOUS WARNING
The favourites tag doesn’t sit comfortably with South Africa but they could have no choice but to carry it into the World Cup after producing some incredibly dominant displays against West Indies over the past week.
South Africa thump Windies
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That match also featured centuries from veteran Hashim Amla and youngster Rilee Rossouw, who could conceivably not even make the starting XI at the World Cup.
South Africa followed that up with a brutal bowling display three days later, dismissing the Windies for just 122 thanks to a four-wicket haul by spinner Imran Tahir and three scalps from paceman Vernon Philander.
The Proteas then romped to a nine-wicket victory in less than 25 overs.
CAN NEW ZEALAND STILL BE CALLED A DARK HORSE?
New Zealand has been labelled a ‘dark horse’ heading into each of the past two World Cups, and have justified that tag by reaching the semi-finals on both occasions.
Again they’re being touted as dark horses heading into a World Cup on home soil but with the way they’ve been playing lately, that moniker is probably doing them a disservice.
Williamson smashes ton
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The Kiwis have shown they are genuine contenders for the title with four wins from their last five matches (not including a rained-out clash with Sri Lanka).
Their latest victory came courtesy of a century by star batsman Kane Williamson and some brutal late hitting by Luke Ronchi, in which
he belted three sixes in an over to seal a four-wicket win over Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka and New Zealand do battle again on Friday.
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS LOOKING WOBBLY
India might still be one of the bookies’ favourites but they’re going to head into the World Cup on shaky ground.
Fantastic Finn crushes India
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That followed hot on the heels of a shocking batting display early on against Australia that eventually resulted in a four-wicket loss.
With captain MS Dhoni under fire and star batsman Virat Kohli failing to take his Test form into the one-day series so far, India will be feeling the heat barely three weeks out from the World Cup.
